Cheap-ass winter stick. TFO Pro II, 11'6" 7/8. Question...

[clarkman]

Ok, so I grabbed one of these for really cheap while I was at the fly tying expo in Albany early March. Really for the one or two times a winter I fish rivers/runs large enough I can't effectively fish with my SH swinging setups. It's got a rather large grain window according to the charts, but if anyone has played around with this rod, what Skagit lines and tips have you preferred?

 

[DanielOcean]

My guess is 510

 

[Porter2]

 

[greenriver]

are these eye test charts?

 

[clarkman]

are these eye test charts?

I had to take OFF my glasses!

 

[Porter2]

I don’t know what happened…. Yeah not great, sorry.

 

[clarkman]

eh, I got the gist of it...500-600 just seems like a HUGE window.

I literally just checked to see if the grain window was listed ON the rod, it is....450-650!

Anyway, I really don't want to end up experimenting with a bunch of different skagit heads for a rod that's gonna get used once or twice a winter...probably look for something in the 550 range unless anyone else has used it and has strong preferences/thoughts on the rods power itself.

 

[Evan B]

eh, I got the gist of it...500-600 just seems like a HUGE window.

I literally just checked to see if the grain window was listed ON the rod, it is....450-650!

Anyway, I really don't want to end up experimenting with a bunch of different skagit heads for a rod that's gonna get used once or twice a winter...probably look for something in the 550 range unless anyone else has used it and has strong preferences/thoughts on the rods power itself.

I know nothing about that rod. But typical rule of thumb for grain windows: heavy end of it for Skagits, lower end of it for Scandi.

But I'd have a real hard time believing an 11'6" 7/8 would want anything more than something in the low 500s

 

[the_grube]

eh, I got the gist of it...500-600 just seems like a HUGE window.

I literally just checked to see if the grain window was listed ON the rod, it is....450-650!

Anyway, I really don't want to end up experimenting with a bunch of different skagit heads for a rod that's gonna get used once or twice a winter...probably look for something in the 550 range unless anyone else has used it and has strong preferences/thoughts on the rods power itself.

650 on a 7/8 weight seems over the top. I have 3 lines that might fit that rod you can try for free if you cover the postage, want to drive to Roseburg, buy me a beer or some combination.

2 skagits at 525/22' and 575/24' and a Rage at ~520/28'. PM me if you're interested.

 

[Creatch’r]

No way that rod takes 600gr or more grains.

I’d try 425/450 OPST commando and around 480/510 for a more standard skagit head.

 

[DanielOcean]

eh, I got the gist of it...500-600 just seems like a HUGE window.

I literally just checked to see if the grain window was listed ON the rod, it is....450-650!

Anyway, I really don't want to end up experimenting with a bunch of different skagit heads for a rod that's gonna get used once or twice a winter...probably look for something in the 550 range unless anyone else has used it and has strong preferences/thoughts on the rods power itself.

500 dude I'm telling ya. I have a 510 Skagit fist you can bum.

 

[clarkman]

I know nothing about that rod. But typical rule of thumb for grain windows: heavy end of it for Skagits, lower end of it for Scandi.

But I'd have a real hard time believing an 11'6" 7/8 would want anything more than something in the low 500s

yeah, that's why I'm so confused!

500 dude I'm telling ya. I have a 510 Skagit fist you can bum.

I may just have to take you up on that....next December!

650 on a 7/8 weight seems over the top. I have 3 lines that might fit that rod you can try for free if you cover the postage, want to drive to Roseburg, buy me a beer or some combination.

2 skagits at 525/22' and 575/24' and a Rage at ~520/28'. PM me if you're interested.

hmmm, I may be able to get down there at some point during the summer...TBD. I don't REALLY need to know until next winter.

 

[doublespey]

I have the TFO Pro II 11' 6/7wt and it likes an Airflo Scout 420gr and T10 tips. A typical jump for the 7/8wt would be to the 480 to 510gr range for shorter Skagit heads. Which is a long way of saying that DanielOcean's guess is probably right on!

 

[Porter2]

I have gotten in to this switch rod thing and I’m still learning…. Spent a few $ on a couple lines searching. Thank god Avid Angler has loaner lines to test. Narrowed it down to a couple for me. Many variables with switch rods and the lengths also add a bit of calculation. 11’ not same as a 11’9” etc. I’m tossing a 7110-4 Z axis. Wound up with a 450 AirFlo Compact. Still experimenting but when I hit it it sends the line a ways. I just really like the ease of casting the switch. It’s easy on the shoulders and relaxing in a way. Swinging I’m wanting to get back to steelheading more even tho numbers don’t support that fishery. Just something attractive to me about it. I think it’s the area/environment that I like in searching for steelhead. You get out there in nowhere sometimes.

 

[skyrise]

Can you go to a nearby fly shop and see if they have any fly lines you can try out ? Don’t most good fly shops have test lines for customers to try ?